I pushed the door open
I don’t remember knocking, nervous
He was standing at the door
A very important person or VIP, as they called them
His wife was sitting by the chair next to the computer

“How are you sir ?” I said stretching my hand for a hand shake

I saw the puzzle in their eyes
Aren’t we VIP, of all doctors why you ?
I could read their minds

Yes, I am from Africa
Yes, I went to medical school in Africa
Yes, I have seen patients with protein in their urine before
Yes, I have treated patients like you before
No, I am not related to the King of Ethiopia

And then,

After the leg swelling is gone
After the protein in the urine is gone
After the kidney function has recovered
After the nephrosis is cured

When I walked in
She was reading a novel
He had a newspaper’s sport page open

“Doc, what was my last urine protein measurement ?” he asked.

“You are in remission, Sir.”